Garage Gazette

TOOLS AND THE SHOP => GENERAL TOOL AND MACHINE DISCUSSION => Topic started by: stokester on August 04, 2023, 05:21:33 PM

Title: Old Tool Ads
Post by: stokester on August 04, 2023, 05:21:33 PM
I had posted a topic about the tool ads I found in old magazines with some scans but I think it was lost on the old site.

So here we go again.

More to come.  Feel free to contribute.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Uncle Buck on August 04, 2023, 06:38:55 PM
Tons of ads like that in the old issues of Mechanics Illustrated. All sorts, hand tools and machine tools, both woodworking and metalworking.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: muddy on August 04, 2023, 08:56:48 PM
Old I'll love this thread I love old advertising (tool and otherwise) Mind if I add some?

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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: stokester on August 05, 2023, 01:08:16 PM
Old I'll love this thread I love old advertising (tool and otherwise) Mind if I add some?

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The more the merrier!  I modified the original post to encourage participation.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: stokester on August 05, 2023, 03:19:37 PM
more from 1955...
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: goodfellow on August 06, 2023, 10:51:04 AM
Tons of ads like that in the old issues of Mechanics Illustrated. All sorts, hand tools and machine tools, both woodworking and metalworking.

... and who can forget all the old Belsaw sharpener and Foley/Belsaw key machine ads that touted the idea of setting up your own business as a secondary form of income. Those ads were a staple in DIY magazines of the day.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: stokester on August 06, 2023, 04:09:37 PM
... and who can forget all the old Belsaw sharpener and Foley/Belsaw key machine ads that touted the idea of setting up your own business as a secondary form of income. Those ads were a staple in DIY magazines of the day.

Like these?
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: john k on August 07, 2023, 10:36:43 PM
I ran across a Proto all angle drill,  and brought it home.  Thought it was a curiosity, but the thing is mostly stainless steel.  Was developed for the aircraft industry in WWII.  When it was discovered the bulky electric drills would not fit into cramped aircraft spaces. 
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: goodfellow on August 08, 2023, 12:55:18 PM
... and who can forget all the old Belsaw sharpener and Foley/Belsaw key machine ads that touted the idea of setting up your own business as a secondary form of income. Those ads were a staple in DIY magazines of the day.

Like these?
Yup - As a kid I knew a few dads in the neighborhood who did that kind of work using Foley/Belsaw equipment.

My dad was always the neighborhood electronics repair guy, and quick fix welder. He was a HAM radio and car guy, and got me into both hobbies at an early age.

Dad had an O/A torch and an AC buzz box welder, and made quite a few bucks on the side in the 1960s.


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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: stokester on August 08, 2023, 02:49:51 PM
one from Crescent...
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: muddy on August 08, 2023, 08:39:55 PM
Not really old. But to me it is. This is the era catalog I would look at for hours circling things I thought I'd need or want as a mechanic some day!


(https://i.postimg.cc/KvCgLJR6/Sears-Craftsman-Power-and-Hand-Tools-1994-95-0000.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ykXdChhj)free online image hosting (https://postimages.org/)

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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: muddy on August 08, 2023, 08:42:15 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/6q51rB1p/dac024f95038d38b0a0d431011d8ead8-auto-tool.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: goodfellow on August 08, 2023, 09:30:07 PM
Not really old. But to me it is. This is the era catalog I would look at for hours circling things I thought I'd need or want as a mechanic some day!


(https://i.postimg.cc/KvCgLJR6/Sears-Craftsman-Power-and-Hand-Tools-1994-95-0000.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ykXdChhj)free online image hosting (https://postimages.org/)

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Even us older guys used to read the catalogs until the pages were worn and "dog-eared". Those were the days!
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: stokester on August 09, 2023, 09:47:23 AM
Not really old. But to me it is. This is the era catalog I would look at for hours circling things I thought I'd need or want as a mechanic some day!

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Even us older guys used to read the catalogs until the pages were worn and "dog-eared". Those were the days!

Here too.  Lots of value in those package deals.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Uncle Buck on August 09, 2023, 03:26:06 PM
That was one of the last catalogs. The real beauties were those from years ago!
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: jeffmoss26 on August 09, 2023, 07:16:26 PM
Not really old. But to me it is. This is the era catalog I would look at for hours circling things I thought I'd need or want as a mechanic some day!


(https://i.postimg.cc/KvCgLJR6/Sears-Craftsman-Power-and-Hand-Tools-1994-95-0000.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ykXdChhj)free online image hosting (https://postimages.org/)

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Even us older guys used to read the catalogs until the pages were worn and "dog-eared". Those were the days!

the tool catalogs of my childhood!!
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: stokester on August 10, 2023, 08:08:08 AM
a few more...
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: goodfellow on August 10, 2023, 01:02:48 PM
That Blackhawk toolset ad reminds me of the first professional tool truck set that I ever purchased with my own meager service station helper earnings. It was a MAC Apprentice mechanics set that the MAC tool representative gave me a good deal on. My boss also kicked in a few bucks at the time - in the early 1970s. I thought I had purchased “gold”. I cleaned it after every shift. A proud moment in my life, and the memory has endured for over half a century.

Seemingly insignificant things in life often have the most enduring impact.


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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: muddy on August 16, 2023, 09:51:50 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/zf1mm8vh/87bbba1d5ddfc962a0f977ddf30d8638.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: muddy on August 30, 2023, 10:04:56 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/sgLDc3zq/Mickey-Mantle-Weller-Power-Tools-Ad-1958.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Rural53 on August 31, 2023, 04:27:42 AM
I've got one of those Weller soldering irons stashed away somewhere.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: goodfellow on August 31, 2023, 05:31:20 AM
Wow! Mickey Mantle my childhood hero advertising for Weller. How weird is that?
That said, I'm still using my dad's Weller soldering gun that was purchased in that late 50s or early 60s time frame.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Rural53 on August 31, 2023, 06:00:48 AM
I've always liked the old Ridgid Ads.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Rural53 on August 31, 2023, 06:03:24 AM
Old Ridgid Ads
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Rural53 on August 31, 2023, 06:04:48 AM
Old Ridgid Ads
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: goodfellow on August 31, 2023, 07:18:17 AM
Who doesn't like the old "Cheesecake" inspired tool ads. Those were great marketing strategies. Every shop worth its salt had them hanging on the walls.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: fatfillup on August 31, 2023, 02:05:59 PM
Didn't know Weller made tools other than soldering irons. 

As to their quality, they almost always work and I have a customer in the 2 way radio business that loves a certain model of the older ones
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: geneg on August 31, 2023, 02:17:15 PM
The soldering irons & guns always work.  The other power tools that I have seen are household DIY at best.  I think I even have that sander somewhere.  Still great to see Mickey Mantle in his prime.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Lookin4_67GalaxieConv on August 31, 2023, 07:11:31 PM
Not really old. But to me it is. This is the era catalog I would look at for hours circling things I thought I'd need or want as a mechanic some day!


(https://i.postimg.cc/KvCgLJR6/Sears-Craftsman-Power-and-Hand-Tools-1994-95-0000.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ykXdChhj)free online image hosting (https://postimages.org/)

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I think I had that same catalog.  May even still have it.  Got my first box, a new Craftsman nine drawer, in October '94.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: stokester on September 03, 2023, 06:40:49 PM
From Automotive News - Feb 1946
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Elroy on September 05, 2023, 04:32:36 PM
Old Ridgid Ads

Nearly 50 years ago, Elroy was employed by Emmerson Electric. They owned the Ridge Tool Company, builder of Ridgid Pipe tools. Some of the more seasoned personnel, suggested that sales should use the phrase:

"Every Home Should Have a Ridgid Tool"  :c029:

Management didn't like the idea.  :-\
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: goodfellow on September 05, 2023, 09:01:12 PM
Old Ridgid Ads

Nearly 50 years ago, Elroy was employed by Emmerson Electric. They owned the Ridge Tool Company, builder of Ridgid Pipe tools. Some of the more seasoned personnel, suggested that sales should use the phrase:

"Every Home Should Have a Ridgid Tool"  :c029:

Management didn't like the idea.  :-\

Great ad idea! What's not to like --  :))

Emerson Electric was a great company. Sears sourced from Emerson some of their best products ever.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Uncle Buck on September 06, 2023, 08:13:35 PM
Old Ridgid Ads


Some years ago I found a bunch of those old Ridgid tool calendars like that and printed off the lot of them. I hole punched and bound them all at the top then hung them in my shop where they remain to this day. My prize cheesecake calendar is an original 1946 Alberto Vargas. By the time I got it the pages were all there but the original comb binding was long gone.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: muddy on December 08, 2023, 08:49:46 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/tJH5dzTd/IMG-0455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bD3kpk1d)

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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: muddy on December 16, 2023, 08:55:36 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/HLp4kZGH/24471347124-4ab70ebc9a-h.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qN5CmGMZ)

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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: goodfellow on December 17, 2023, 08:08:41 AM
Cadmium plated --- they used the "good stuff". --- LOL
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Elroy on December 17, 2023, 06:08:10 PM
What would one give for these ? Real POS
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: stokester on March 07, 2024, 03:17:42 PM
I don't remember many ads from Easco...
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Uncle Buck on March 07, 2024, 04:36:31 PM
I don't remember many ads from Easco...

I  remember their ads. So many brands they made tools for too! Good stuff, I have quite a bit of their stuff from that era. No complaints from me.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: goodfellow on March 07, 2024, 09:04:49 PM
Yeah, you could always tell an EASCO product, no matter who sold it or whose name was on it. NAPA was a big customer at the time, and I still have a few of the NAPA EASCO tools in my go-box.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: muddy on March 07, 2024, 09:53:33 PM
Besides Napa who else were easco rebrands?

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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: muddy on March 07, 2024, 09:57:58 PM
A few bucks a week..... For the next 2000 weeks


Was there a big difference in price for snap on compared to the others as it is today?



(https://i.postimg.cc/k5GJ9FXS/Step-Up-To-Quality-1960s-lowres-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)pic hosting (https://postimages.org/)

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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Uncle Buck on March 07, 2024, 10:16:45 PM
Besides Napa who else were easco rebrands?

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Craftsman,  True Value Hdw Master Mechanic likely a number of others, but those two are the ones I was familiar with.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: goodfellow on March 08, 2024, 09:31:00 AM
A few bucks a week..... For the next 2000 weeks


Was there a big difference in price for snap on compared to the others as it is today?



(https://i.postimg.cc/k5GJ9FXS/Step-Up-To-Quality-1960s-lowres-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)pic hosting (https://postimages.org/)

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Can’t say much for Snap-On, but in the early 70’s I purchased a MAC apprentice tool kit off the truck. My first professional toolset that I payed for with my meager earnings. The set was slightly higher in price than the Craftsman equivalent at the time (if you had purchased the C-Man stuff at full retail).

Good tools were expensive, but relatively still affordable compared to other high quality items at the time. Plus in those days all you needed was SAE sizes. Metric stuff was still in the specialized category.


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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Uncle Buck on March 08, 2024, 12:09:07 PM
A few bucks a week..... For the next 2000 weeks


Was there a big difference in price for snap on compared to the others as it is today?



(https://i.postimg.cc/k5GJ9FXS/Step-Up-To-Quality-1960s-lowres-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)pic hosting (https://postimages.org/)

Sent from my twisted mind of the mudman
Can’t say much for Snap-On, but in the early 70’s I purchased a MAC apprentice tool kit off the truck. My first professional toolset that I payed for with my meager earnings. The set was slightly higher in price than the Craftsman equivalent at the time (if you had purchased the C-Man stuff at full retail).

Good tools were expensive, but relatively still affordable compared to other high quality items at the time. Plus in those days all you needed was SAE sizes. Metric stuff was still in the specialized category.


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Plus choices in Metric were much more limited.
Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: slip knot on March 09, 2024, 08:48:35 PM
A few bucks a week..... For the next 2000 weeks


Was there a big difference in price for snap on compared to the others as it is today?



(https://i.postimg.cc/k5GJ9FXS/Step-Up-To-Quality-1960s-lowres-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)pic hosting (https://postimages.org/)

Yeah you paid a premium for Snap On. But they offered a big variety of specialty tools that you needed to complete certain jobs and they would finance it for you so you could complete the job without paying 100% out of pocket for the tooling. I never bought sets off the trucks unless they were really marked down. I mostly got specialty tools.
When the 6.2 GM diesel came out it crapped out head gaskets regularly. The headbolts were 18MM. I think I paid $20 for that one socket off the Snappy truck but they had it.

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Title: Re: Old Tool Ads
Post by: Uncle Buck on March 09, 2024, 10:49:26 PM
I love truck brand tools. I have a few sets I did buy new when I was younger and single. Most, I bought either used, or in pawn shops. Buying off the truck works great for guys on their routes. However,  if you just a home wrench, getting warranty from SO in particular not so hot. In fact, worse than any other brand I ever needed to turn in broken.  With a couple of exceptions that happened with Sears during those last years as they were dieing, the use to be about the best. SK was equally good and so was Proto. The very best warranty service I ever got was with the specialty tool company Lisle.

The worst experience was with SO years ago when I had my pop turn in a 1/2" drive flex head I had bought new and SO actually charged him something like $10-15 to warranty the tool! Man, you don't forget it when you get screwed like that, even for a small amount. It was just the principle of the thing you know.